World Construction: Raffles, Jumeirah, St. Regis

Raffles To Manage Luxury Resort In Maldives

By Staff -- HOTELS Magazine, 5/1/2007

Raffles To Manage Luxury Resort In Maldives

GAAFU ALIFU, MALDIVES Raffles Hotels & Resorts will manage a 49-villa luxury resort, Raffles Resort Konottaa, its first venture in the Maldives. The resort, owned and developed by Platinum Capital Holdings Pvt Ltd., is located at the newly developed Gaafu Alifu atoll in the southern part of the Maldives.

Scheduled to open next spring, the resort features 49 duplex villas with individual plunge pools. The duplex villas, of which 22 are over-water, are the first of their kind in the Maldives. The water villas, which have an additional Jacuzzi pool, are set in secluded surroundings and enjoy unobstructed ocean views. They will be designed with a contemporary edge inspired by traditional Maldivian architecture, with tropical accents and details from the region. Residents seeking the spa experience can rejuvenate at RafflesAmrita Spa. Dining choices will include a specialty restaurant, a casual restaurant and the fine-dining Grill Room.

Residents can unwind with signature cocktails at the Main Bar overlooking ocean vistas. Residents will also have access to an extensive library of DVDs at the resort, while the more energetic may choose to practice on a golf simulator, play tennis or go diving or snorkeling at coral reefs. Other water sports include catamaran sailing and deep-sea fishing.

The resort is a 50-minute flight from Male to Kaadedhdhoo airport, and a 15-minute ride on a Raffles speedboat.

Jumeirah Unveils Bermuda Resort Project

BERMUDA Dubai-based Jumeirah will manage the first new luxury resort to be built in Bermuda in 35 years, pending approval by government agencies, the company has announced. The Jumeirah Southlands Resort, scheduled to open next year, is part of Jumeirah's plans to grow its international portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts to 40 by the end of 2009.

Situated on 37 acres (15 ha) on Bermuda's prestigious South Shore, Jumeirah Southlands will have 300 balcony suites-including 17 two-story suites built into beach cliffs-as well as five restaurants and bars, a nightclub, a spa, about 1,700 ft . (500 m) of beach, numerous pools, an executive conference center and an equestrian center. There will also be a collection of luxury boutiques on site. Approximately half the accommodations will be offered for fractional vacation residence ownership.

The resort is located about 15 minutes from Bermuda's capital city of Hamilton and 30 minutes from the airport.

St. Regis Residences Comes To Singapore

SINGAPORE The St. Regis Residences is being developed by City Developments Limited, one of the largest real estate developers in Asia, and venture partners Hong Leong Holdings Limited and TID Planners & Engineers Limited. The development offers the first opportunity to own a St. Regis home in Asia and marks Singapore's first combined hotel-residence property. The St. Regis property is designed by U.S.-based architecture firm Wimberly, Allison, Tong & Goo Inc. The 6-star hotel will be managed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.

Residences are selling for more than S$3,000 (US$2,000) per square foot. The 173 premium residences, with sky suites and penthouses in two 23-story apartment towers, are expected to be ready by next year. Prices for a three-bedroom home start at approximately S$4.1 million (US$2.7 million) for the 999-year leasehold property. The 299-guestroom, 20-story St. Regis Hotel adjoining the residences is expected to open this year.

Residents at the St. Regis Residences will have a private elevator lobby and will have access to the hotel's various fee-based a la carte services, including butler service. Personal butlers will carry wireless handheld devices and will be reachable at all times via e-mail. Additional services and amenities will include an outdoor pool, state-of-the-art health club, full-service spa, in-residence catering, housekeeping, babysitting and laundry.

Design Unveiled For Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur

KUALA LUMPUR A 40-story, 5-star Grand Hyatt hotel and mixed-use project is under development in downtown Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Scheduled to open in late 2010, the hotel lobby will be located at the top of the building-guests will ride express elevators to the lobby, where they may take in impressive 360-degree views of downtown Kuala Lumpur.

The building will also hold serviced apartments and offices. The contemporary hotel is currently in the design development phase, and is scheduled to open to the public in December of 2010. International destination design firm Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo is leading the project, joined by Kuala Lumpur-based GDP Architects interior design firm Bilkey Llinas Design Ltd. of Hong Kong.